What was the original sign of the cross?

Origins. The sign of the cross was originally made in some parts of the Christian world with the right-hand thumb across the forehead only. In other parts of the early Christian world it was done with the whole hand or with two fingers.

How do Greek Orthodox do the sign of the cross?

For Greek Orthodox Christians, the sign of the cross is the ultimate expression of their faith. While making the sign of the cross, Orthodox Christians do so by touching their thumb, index, and middle fingers together, which represents the Holy Trinity.

Is there a wrong way to do the sign of the cross?

The reader is right: Neither way is right or wrong. However, Catholic children in the Latin Rite should be taught to make the Sign of the Cross in the Western manner–just as Catholic children in the Eastern Rites should be taught to touch their right shoulder before their left. ThoughtCo.

Is the sign of the cross only Catholic?

Roman Catholics aren’t the only Christians who make the Sign of the Cross. All Eastern Catholics and Eastern Orthodox do as well, along with many high-church Anglicans and Lutherans (and a smattering of other Mainline Protestants).

Do Greeks use the Orthodox cross?

The Eastern Orthodox Cross / “Faith” The Cross most commonly associated with the Greek Orthodox Church has a long bottom stem and shorter length head and arm stems. The defining features of this form are the tips of the stems which have rounded protrusions in each of the 3 outward directions.

What is the oldest Catholic prayer?

Beneath Thy Protection (Ancient Greek: Ὑπὸ τὴν σὴν εὐσπλαγχνίαν; Latin: Sub tuum praesidium) is a Christian hymn and prayer. It is the oldest known Marian prayer and the oldest preserved extant hymn to Mary as Theotokos.

What is a Greek cross called?

use in Christianity cross: the crux quadrata, or Greek cross, with four equal arms; the crux immissa, or Latin cross, whose base stem is longer than the other three arms; the crux commissa, in the form of the Greek letter tau, sometimes called St.

How do Orthodox people make the sign of the cross?

Orthodox cross themselves from right to left. first we will describe the mechanics of making the cross, then explain why it is indeed important that we make the sign of the cross correctly. 1) We place our thumb and first two fingers together in a point, and our last we fingers flat against our palm.

Which hand is the Orthodox fingerprint on the head?

Greek, Slavic, Latin, West Armenian, Ethiopian, Coptic and Antiochian Rites: In general Orthodox practice, the right hand is used. The thumb, index, and middle finger are brought to a point. They are then placed on the forehead after that moved down to the solar plexus (moving to the sternum as other denominations do forms an inverted cross).

Why is the sign of the cross made with three fingers?

An instruction of Pope Innocent III (1198-1216) evidences the traditional practice but also indicates a shift in the Latin Rite practice of the Catholic Church: “The sign of the cross is made with three fingers, because the signing is done together with the invocation of the Trinity. …

What is the correct position for the sign of the cross?

Ending the sign of the cross, usually and in the tradition, people make the right open hand upon the other (the left open hand), with all the five fingers, like in a prayer, till the height of the face. Also there is a full genuflection, with the right knee totally given down to the level of the earth,…